Bassetoodle

The Bassetoodle is a mix between the Basset Hound and the Poodle which comes in either toy, miniature, or standard sizes. This combination is quite interesting and the outcome of dog appearances can vary greatly depending on the type of poodle used as a parent. The Bassetoodle is an outgoing and joyful dog, with a great amount of love and affection to give. They thoroughly enjoy being around people of all ages and other animals; however, this trait can be a problem at times as it leads to severe separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. If you are someone who is looking for a great companion dog who can also act as a guard dog for your home, the Bassetoodle may be the perfect choice. While friendly, they will alert their owners to anything suspicious that may be happening. Rather than barking, however, this breed tends to howl often. Because they have Basset Hounds in their blood, this breed can be mischievous and stubborn, but their good traits tend to outweigh the bad.

Purpose

Companion

Date of Origin

2000s

Ancestry

Basset Hound, Poodle

Bassetoodle Health

Average Size

Height: 12-16 inchesWeight: 20-30 lbs

Height: 12-16 inchesWeight: 20-30 lbs

Major Concerns

Elbow Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia

Epilepsy

Bloat

Obesity

Minor Concerns

Cherry Eye

Cataracts

Allergies

Diabetes

Occasional Tests

Hip

Elbow

Blood Test

Physical Examination

Allergy Tests

Bassetoodle Breed History

People everywhere love mixing different dog breeds with Poodles in order to achieve a more hypoallergenic version of their favorite breeds. The Bassetoodle is no different and was developed in the United States sometime in the early 2000’s. This breed combines the traits of the Basset Hound and the Poodle into a dog that is calm, friendly, joyful, intelligent, and slightly stubborn. Despite the occasional flaw, this is a great family dog that truly knows how to enjoy life. The Basset Hound contributed to this breed with body type, calm disposition, and willingness to howl at anything he may find interesting or suspicious. The Poodle gave this breed its coat, joyful personality, and mischievous streak that is bound to keep any owner on their toes. The Basset Hound was developed in France around the 7th century and has been used as a hunter and companion dog ever since. He made his first appearance in the United States in the early 19th century and his popularity grew due to his amazing sense of smell and hunting prowess. The Poodle, while commonly mistaken to be a French breed, was actually developed in Germany. This breed has a great sense of humor and comes in three different sizes: the toy, miniature, and standard. They have been used for years as companions and show dogs with the miniature poodle being the most popular today. When these two parent breeds are combined, we end up with a short, spunky, companion dog that is great around kids and is an excellent companion for the active adult. Just keep in mind that this breed can be stubborn and has a lot of energy to burn off, so early training and plenty of exercise are needed in order to keep this playful pup in line.

Bassetoodle Breed Appearance

Bassetoodles will take on traits from both parent breeds and will vary in size depending on which size of poodle is used in the breeding process. The most common look for a Bassetoodle is small in stature and low to the ground; with the body of a Basset Hound combined with the fur and facial features of a Poodle. The medium length fur can come in multiple color patterns and is usually thick and wiry, with either a straight or wavy appearance. This fur type is great for those with allergies as it is completely hypoallergenic! The ears of this breed are considerably shorter than a Basset Hound’s and frame a short, yet cute muzzle. The nose is typically black or dark brown depending on the color of the fur. Lastly, the Bassetoodle’s eyes are always bright and full of life, seemingly full of endless amounts of mischief just lying in wait behind the dark brown color.

Bassetoodle Breed Maintenance

The Bassetoodle is a relatively low maintenance kind of dog. His medium length, wiry coat will shed a moderate amount throughout the year. Frequent brushing, perhaps around 2 to 3 times a week, is the best method to keeping his shedding to a minimum and can be done with a toothed comb. Bathing only needs to be done occasionally or when your Bassetoodle gets especially dirty. Always be sure to thoroughly dry the ears of your dog in order to remove any excess moisture. Because the Bassetoodle has folded over ears, any left-over moisture or foreign objects can cause infection or irritation. Frequent cleanings and complete drying of the ears should decrease the risk of any ear issues. Besides brushing and bathing, tooth care and nail trimming should be part of the routine. Nails can be trimmed every few weeks or so; if you can hear your dog’s nails clicking on the floor, it is time for a trim!

Bassetoodle Temperament

If you are looking for an active, yet friendly dog that works well in any housing situation, then your search is at an end! The Bassetoodle has a jovial, mischievous personality, that when properly entertained and exercised, makes for a great and active companion. Although this breed does have the calm demeanor of the Basset Hound, both parent breeds are working dogs who love to get out and have a good run; whether it’s after prey or their favorite ball. This means that you won’t be able to count on your dog doing well without much exercise. He will need to get outside and play in order to curb any destructive tendencies that might come about when he gets bored. Overall, when it comes to the Bassetoodle, the best of both parent breeds have been combined very well. Slightly protective of his family, without being aggressive, this breed tends to howl at anything that he may find suspicious; if you don’t mind occasional noise, this shouldn’t be a problem. Proper socialization while young will ensure that your Bassetoodle does as well as he is intended to do with young children and other animals. This breed makes an excellent family pet, however, keep in mind that the Bassetoodle has a very low tolerance to being left alone so be prepared to deal with separation anxiety if you must leave your dog for long periods of time.

Bassetoodle Activity Requirements

One of the most important things to know about the Bassetoodle is that he tends to be a wanderer. When performing any kind of exercise, always be sure to use a leash or be in an enclosed area; if you are not careful your dog may head out on a great adventure without you! On top of this, cold weather is something that this breed is not particularly fond of. If you need to get your dog exercise during the cold winter months, a doggy daycare or a quick jaunt around the yard may do the trick. The Bassetoodle is a moderately energetic dog that requires at least one walk a day and some good quality play time outside. Activities such as fetch, training, jog, or a long walk are perfect for helping to burn off that extra energy your dog has stored away. While this breed does make an excellent apartment pet, keep in mind that if he does not have a chance to get some exercise, he may become destructive and ruin some of your favorite possessions. However, that aside, if your Bassetoodle can get some quality exercise and lots of good training, you shouldn’t have any problems at all with him maintaining a calm disposition.